How heart plaques progress when taking strong cholesterol drugs

This research study is following people with coronary heart disease who are being treated with intensive lipid-lowering therapy (strong cholesterol-lowering medications) to understand why some patients' artery plaques continue to grow even when they're taking these medications. Researchers will use ultrasound imaging inside the arteries to carefully track plaque changes and measure the levels of cholesterol and inflammation in the blood. The goal is to understand which patients remain at higher risk and why, so doctors can eventually provide better, more personalized treatment.

Even with the best available cholesterol medications, some people still experience worsening heart disease and plaque buildup in their arteries. This trial exists to understand the hidden risk factors—like residual cholesterol and inflammation—that keep some patients at risk despite taking the medication, so doctors can eventually identify and help these high-risk patients better.